Age of Accountability

[DarkNebulaWelder]

Is there an age of accountability, and if so, how is this determined?

Is it determined by the age at which a child first sins?

Is this something for which Scriptural guidelines are given?

If so, could you point to some verses?

[None]

http://www.worthyboards.com/index.php?show...=accountability

(sorry, it's a search link)

[EricH]

The scriptures do not specify an age of accountability.

[FighterforJC]

Yep, there's no "official" age of accountability. People try to invent one, though. For some reason it comforts them.

[Guest lovinghim4ever]

Now, I'm not saying that I believe the age of accountability to be twelve, but I know that in the denomination I use to belong to taught the age of accountability to be 12 years old. Why? Because, Jesus was twelve years old when He amazed the scholars in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:41-47, "His parents went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast . . ."

Personally, I believe the age of accountability depends on the maturity level of each individual child.

Just my thoughts.

[BlackDiamond]

Take a look at this article I found a couple months ago. It should help to clarify (or perhaps confuse more ) your question. The article deals specifically with infant deaths, but in doing so, it also answers your question. Basically, what the author has said is that only once a person knows the difference between good and evil will they be charged with sin. I think very young children are not able to know the difference between good and evil. Where they become aware of the two I don't know. But I think it is whenever they DO know the difference but choose the wrong way that they begin to sin.

Take a look, read it, and compare it with Gods Word. Pray about it! Pray that Gods truth will be revealed.

-Sean

Edited June 6, 2007 by BlackDiamond

[None]

Now, I'm not saying that I believe the age of accountability to be twelve, but I know that in the denomination I use to belong to taught the age of accountability to be 12 years old. Why? Because, Jesus was twelve years old when He amazed the scholars in Jerusalem.

Luke 2:41-47, "His parents went o Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover. And when He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast . . ."

Personally, I believe the age of accountability depends on the maturity level of each individual child.

I agree, although Jesus was extrordinary in that He is God in the flesh, so He's not who I'd stand next to my own children

for comparison.

Different countries have different ages they send their children to war, get married, put to work in the fields etc...I guess it depends on accountable for what? In America, the drinking age is 21 but in many countries it's 18, if not younger.

As far as sin goes:

Personally, I believe God sets the age and brings the individual to awareness of their sins when He feels the individual is ready.

[RedeemedByHim]

I think it depends on the person. I know that when I have kids, i want them to truly understand what they are doing when they accept Jesus as their Lord. I don't just want them to say a prayer at kids camp one night because it sounded fun or because all the other kids are doing it or because they just want to escape hell. I want them to truly understand why Jesus died. I am sorry, but I really don't understand how a 3-4 year old can truly know what they are doing when they say a prayer. NOW with that said, there are SOME cases where I think that God will move supernatually with someone such as AKIANE (spelling?) where she knew God at 4 years old. Just not with every case. Maybe even more so in these last days because there is such and urgency.

But then again, you have mentally handicapped people that I don't think ever reach that "age of accountability." These are just my thoughts...no scriptural proof....

[dgolvach]

I hope it around 60

Dan

[Mutzrein]

The scriptures do not specify an age of accountability.

Spoton Eric.

So should we say that this is another doctrine of man?